Multi-element self-gripping device

ABSTRACT

A multi-element self-gripping device is disclosed and includes a plurality of upright gripping elements stiffly attached to a base which may be a common point, a line or a surface. Each of the gripping elements are elongated flat members having at least one downwardly inclined integral askewed wedge which is defined by a downwardly inclined cut in the edge of the flat member with the portion of the member above the cut bent out of plane from the flat member from one or both sides thereof. The gripping elements are adapted to penetrate and become lodged in a receiving material.

United States Patent [191 Brumlik Y 1 June 17, 1975 MULTI-ELEMENTSELF-GRIPPING DEVICE I [75] Inventor: George C. Brumlik, Montclair, NJ.

[22] Filed: July 12, 1973 i 211 Appl. No; 378,489

7 Related U.S. Application Data 7 [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 191,686,Oct. 22,1971,

Parker 24/204 8/1966 Flanagan 24/204 9/1970 Pearson 24/204 PrimaryExaminer-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burgess, Dinklage &Sprung [57] ABSTRACT A multi-elernent self-gripping device is disclosedand includes a plurality of upright gripping elements s tiffly attachedto a base which may be a common point, a line or a'surface. Each of thegripping elements are elongated flat members having at least onedownwardly'inclined integral askewed wedge which is defined by adownwardly inclined cut in the edge of the flat member with the portionof the member above the cut bent out of plane from the flat member fromone or both sides thereof. The gripping elements are adapted topenetrate and become lodged in a receiving material.

9 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEDJUN 17 ms 00 o a c o o q o 000 V 0 0 0 "Q (b) COMPRESSED AND/OR DISPLACED ('CUINT EIRLOCKED 1MULTI-ELEMENT SELF-GRIPPING DEVICE This is a continuation of applicationSer. No. 191,686, filed Oct. 22, I971, abandoned.

BACKGROUND This invention relates to a self-gripping device having aplurality of stiffly attached flat gripping elements having askewedgripping wedges. The gripping elements are adapted to penetrate areceiving material and upon the application of a withdrawing force theentrances of the wedges act as a funnel which directs the receivingmaterial into the wedge with a motion that may be swirling or twisting,resulting in a positive, highly efficient self-gripping action. Thedegree of swirling or twisting can be regulated by the geometry of thewedge. The device of the invention is thus particularly adapted forself-gripping receiving materials comprising fibers, fibrils, filamentsand edges or portions of thin layers of recticular, cellular orperforated bodies.

Self-gripping devices have been known for some time but only recentlyhave they begun to replace conventional fastening devices such asstaples, nails, adhesives and the like. In general, self-grippingdevices perform many unique functions which conventional fastenerscannot provide. For instance, there is unlimited freedom ofself-gripping engagement over an area by virtue of the vast number ofgripping sites in a receiving material. This has the effect ofeliminating alignment criticalities that seriously hamper conventionalfasteners, involving mating specific fastening sites such as a bore orhole with corresponding fastening devices such as a screw or bolt.

Also, a plurality of gripping elements in a selfgripping devicecooperate to provide the required amount of self-gripping holding forceand distribute same over a predetermined area thus avoiding localizedstress concentrations such as occurs with conventional fasteners.

Another desirable feature is that the gripping elements of a device areinherently flexible which allows a self-gripping connection toaccommodate dimensional changes caused by large thermal coefficients ofexpansion that occur between similar or dissimilar articles connected toeach other by a self-gripping mechanism. This prevents buckling andcracking of joined articles.

One more capability of self-gripping devices is the ability to form aself-gripping connection between articles on any face, edge or corner bysimply bringing any pair of these into contact at the desired location.

With increasing use and advancing sophistication of self-grippingdevices, the ability of a self-gripping de- SUMMARY The presentinvention provides self-gripping devices which add new dimensions to theself-gripping art. The devices of the invention makes it possible toself-grip fibers at any given point, even fibers attached at one end andalso provide for unlimited freedom of selfgripping engagement not onlyover an entire surface but also in depth of a receiving material.

The device of the invention includes a plurality of upright grippingelements which are stiffiy attached to a base. Each of the grippingelements comprises an elongated member having at least one flatlongitudinal edge section with at least one integral askewed wedgedefined by a cut in the edge of the flat section, preferably in adownwardly inclined direction, with the portion of the flat sectionabove the cut bent out of plane from the flat section. The grippingelements are adapted to penetrate or become lodged in a receivingmaterial and especially receiving materials made up of fibers, fibrils,filaments and thin walled cells, webs and sheets. The gripping elementsare particularly adapted for self gripping fibers, fibrils, fascicles,filaments, braids, tufts, yarns, and especially any of these loose atone end. Such fibers and the like offer an infinite number of engagingsites and the devices of the invention are capable of gripping samealong their entire length.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1a is a side elevational view showing agripping element having .a plurality of askewed wedges along one edgethereof.

FIG. lb is a side elevational view of a gripping element curved aboutits longitudinal axis for increased stiffness and having a plurality ofwedges along both edges thereof.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side elevational views showing further embodiments ofgripping elements suitable for use in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of agripping element suitable for use in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the gripping element of FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a gripping element used in thepresent invention.

FIGS. 7, Sand 9 are perspective views illustrating variousconfigurations of the self'gripping device of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view illustrating a particular embodiment ofthe invention.

FIGS. 11 a through c are perspective views illustrating embodiments ofthe self-gripping device wherein the gripping elements are attached to alinear member (FIG. 11a) or a common point (FIGS. 11b and c).

FIGS. 12a through h are side elevational views partly in sectionillustrating various profiles of filaments which provide for highlyefficient self-gripping engagement with the device of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a receiving layer of the inventioncomprising filaments having striations such as shown in FIG. 12.

FIGS. 14 a through e are elevational views illustrating several ways inwhich loose-ended fibers are selfgripped by the askewed gripping wedges.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are side elevational views of filaments which alsoprovide highly efficient self-gripping engagement with the device of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing and in particular to FIGS. 7through 9 and 11, the self-gripping device of the invention is shown toinclude a plurality of upright gripping elements indicated generally bythe reference numeral stiffly attached in thick profusion or inrelatively close proximity to each other to a base which may be asurface such as the sheet shown in FIG. 7, the disc 22 shown in FIG. 8or the strip 24 shown in FIG. 9, or a linear element such as thefilament 32 shown in FIG. 11a or a common point 34 shown in FIGS. 1 lband c. Similar or dissimilar gripping elements which can vary in sizemay be arranged on the base in a uniform or irregular pattern and theymay extend from both sides of a base such as shown in FIG. 9 or theymay. radiate about a line as shown in FIGS. 11a or about a common pointsuch as the six-element arrangement shown in FIG. llb or thefour-element tetrahedron-type arrangement shown in FIG. 11c.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the gripping elements 1 of the device of theinvention include an elongated fiat member 12 having at least onedownwardly inclined integral askewed wedge formed by cutting the edge ofthe member 12 in a downwardly inclined direction at 14 and bending theportion 16 of the fiat member 12 above the cut 14 out of plane from theflat member 12. The askewed wedges formed by portions 16 and cuts 14 areshown in greater detail in FIG. 6 by the reference numeral 17. As shownin FIGS. la and lb, the askewed wedges are preferably spaced alone oneor both edges of the flat member 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the askewedwedges can progressively increase in size from the tip or upper end ofthe flat member 12 downward. The askewed wedge can be formed using astraight angled cut 14 as shown in FIGS. 1a, lb, 2, 3 and 6 in whichcase the bent out portion 16 can be described as an acute angledportion.

The member 12 may also be curved as shown in FIG. 1b to increase theoverall stiffness of the gripping elements 10. Also, it is onlynecessary that the gripping elements have one flat longitudinal edgesection containing the askewed wedges described herein. Thus, the member12 can have a curved or angled longitudinal bead or section thicker thanthe adjacent flat section for added strength and stiffness. Thelongitudinal bead or section can form one edge of the gripping elementor it can be centrally located with two adjacent fiat sections on bothsides thereof. It is also possible to use perforated, corrugated orsimilarly textured members for the gripping elements as well ascomposite members comprising a stiffgenerally metal core with an outercoating such as an extruded plastic sheath and the like.

The flat member 12 may also be cut along a curve as shown by referencenumber 13 in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this instance, the portion 11 that isbent out of plane is rounded or curved. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.

and self-gripping,is'accomplished by engagement of the receivingmaterial with the askewed wedge. The absence of a barb is desirable toprevent skin irritation when the device of the invention is applied orutilized by hand. Thus, the invention in this embodiment provides aunique self-gripping device wherein the need for barbs can beeliminated. In another embodiment for instance as shown in FIGS. 1b and6, self-gripping action can be accomplished by a combination of theaskewed wedge 17 and the bent out portion 16 functioning as a barb.

As indicated above, the self-gripping device of the invention isespecially suited for self-gripping engagement with receiving materialswhich are fibrous in nature and is equipped to self-grip surfaces suchas those wherein the fibers, tufts, yarns and the like, are loose at oneend. In FIGS. lb 2 and 3, the engagement of the wedges with a filament18 is illustrated and in FIG. 4 a bundle of three filaments is shownbeing engaged by a single wedge. In FIGS. 1a and 2 filaments l8 loose atone end and attached to a base 36 on the other end, are shown gripped bythe uppermost wedge of the elements 10. This general parallel engagementof a fiber is also shown-in FIG. 6. Thus, the fibers 18 can be generallyparallel to the flat member 12 and still be effectively self-gripped.This is a unique capability. It should also be understood that thewedges are capable of gripping fibers and the like oriented or held inany direction or plane such as shown in FIGS. 1b, 2 and 3. Besidesfilaments and fibers 18, the wedges 17 are capable of engaging thinwalled cells, webs and sheets as is illustrated in FIG. 6 by the thinsheet-like member 23.

A plurality of gripping elements 10, which may be the same or different,cooperate in engaging a receiving materials to distribute theself-gripping force over a given area and thus eliminate stressconcentrations.

Referring now to FIG. 14 and in particular to FIG. 14e, the askewedwedge is capable of self-gripping smooth or textured filaments by one ora combination of three mechanisms depending on the depth to which thefilaments or fibers reach in the wedge. As shown in FIG. 142, thesemechanisms shown in the relative relationship to depth in the wedge are(a) interlocking, (b) compressed and or displaced and (c) cutting. InFIG. 14a, a textured fiber 18 attached to a base 36 is shown interlockedin the wedge defined by bent out portion 16 and segment 14 of member 12.FIGS. 14a through c are edge-on views of gripping elements 10 which areshown for purposes of illustration attached to a base 20. InFIG. 1412 asmooth fiber 18 is shown compressed and displaced at 19 between bent outportion 16 and segment 14. In FIG. 14c the fiber is drawn or forcedfurther into the wedge and is actually partially cut by the bent outportion 16 with the portion of the fiber peeled back by the cuttingaction shown curled above portion 16. FIG. 14d is another view showingthe relative depth of the filaments shown in FIGS. 14a and b.

directing receiving material into the wedge per se for I FIGS. 14athrough c also illustrate that the cut 14 may be made at a right angleacross the edge of flat member 12 as shown in FIG. 14a or at anotherangle greater or less than to arrive at the structure shown in FIG. 140,for example.

It is evident, therefore, that the device of the invention is not onlycapable of unlimited freedom of selfgripping engagement over an entiresurface but also throughout the depth of a receiving material. Sinceeach fiber loose at one end in a receiving material offers an indefinitenumber of engaging sites along its entire length, self-grippingengagement can take place between the very end of a filament 18 and agripping element as shown for example in FIGS. 1a and 2 or it can occurat the base of a fiber l8 and a gripping element 10 or at anycombination of sites therebetween.

Also, upon entry into a receiving material, fibers and filaments thereinare effectively displaced by the entering askewed wedge and because oftheir physical relationship to one another in a receiving material, theytend to return to their original position which greatly enhance theprobability of self-gripping engagement with an askewed wedge uponapplication of withdrawing force to the gripping elements.

The portions 11 and 16 may be bent out of plane from the flat member 12from one or both sides thereof in any desired predetermined uniform,random or irregular pattern. Generally, the portions 11 and 16 above thecuts 13 and 14 in the flat members 12 are bent out of plane a sufficientdistance to form an askewed wedge capable of accommodating one or morefilaments 18 as shown for example in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 6. The angleof cuts 13 and 14 in relation to the transverse portion of fiat member12 can be 90 but are preferably downwardly inclined. The angle of thecuts Band 14 across the edge of member 12 can vary as described above.

The tip or upper end of the gripping elements 10 may be rounded as shownin FIGS. 1a and lb and 4 or they may have a sharp centrally located tipas shown in FIG. 2 or a sharp asymmetrical tip as shown in FIG. 3. Theupper end of the gripping elements 10 may also be provided with acutting edge to facilitate initial penetration into a receiving layer ormaterial.

Generally speaking the upper end of the gripping elements 10 arecharacterized by a penetrating profile or shape which may be achieved byany of the shapes shown or by an angled or straight cut across the flatmember 12 or forming in such a way that multiple shape points result. Inthose instances where skin irritation is to be avoided the upper end ofthe gripping elements 10 are preferably rounded as shown, for example,in FIG. 4.

As indicated above the self-gripping elements of the device of theinvention are adapted to penetrate and become lodged in a receivingmaterial which for purposes of the invention generally comprise fibers,fibrils, filaments or thin walled cells, webs or sheets all of which canenter into self-gripping engagement with the askewed wedges. in apreferred embodiment, the receiving layer or material is fibrous innature and may have fibers, fibrils or filaments which are loose at one,end, for example, as occurs in animal and artificial fur,

hair and in fabrics such as velvet or in woven, piled, tufted andflocked carpets.

Thus, the self-gripping device of the invention is particularly adaptedfor self-gripping materials such as woven, non-woven andknitted fabrics,fibers and fiber aggregates. carpets, carpet-like materials, foamedrubber and plastics, felt, wood, cork, sponge, animal and artificial furand hair. feathers. leather, paper, card-.

board. corrugated cardboard, metal and plastic mesh, filter sheets,expanded or perforated sheet materials and composites of any of theforegoing.

The receiving material may also be a thin wall or laminae which iscapable of being penetrated or pierced by the gripping element such as asheet per se or an interior cellular wall; also included are web-likestructures having thinned out or localized areas capable of beingself-gripped. For example, such sheets can be a sheet with denselypunched holes relatively close to each other or expanded sheets such asexpanded metal.

Especially suitable receiving materials and structures are disclosed inmy copending applications Ser. Nos. 126,708 and, 126,706, both filedMar. 22, 1971, and Ser. No. 154,589, filed June 18, 1971.

The askewed wedge is formed from a flat member in such a manner that ithas cutting or shearing edges. For weaker force engagement the edgescould be rounded off, mechanically or by etching. This makes it possiblefor the askewed wedge to not only compress and/or displace or interlockwith a filament (FIGS. 14a and b) but also to partially cut into thefilament to obtain selfgripping (FIG. 14c). This ability to cut a fiberor filament also enables separation of a device of the invention fromthe receiving layer or material and because of the nature of thereceiving layer or material, the ability to again enter intoself-gripping engagement is not impaired by virtue of the fact thatthere are virtually thousands of self-gripping sites within a receivinglayer or material of the nature described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a self-gripping device of the inventioncomprising a sheet 20 and upright gripping elements 10 is shown inself-gripping engagement with a receiving layer 30 which is shown to beporous in nature for purposes of illustration.

In certain applications, it is desirable to utilize a receiving layersuch as that shown in FIG. 10 as a protective layer for the grippingelements 10 which can be stripped off to prepare the device forself-gripping engagement. The use of a protective layer makes itpossible to ship and handle the gripping device of the invention withoutirritation to the user or premature selfgripping engagement. Theprotective layer may have a thickness equal to or greater than theheight of the gripping elements 10. Such a protective layer can bereadily utilized with any of the various embodiments of the inventionsuch as those shown in FIGS. 7 through 9, 11a and 11b for example.

It is also possible to use the receiving layer 30 as a component part ofthe device of the invention. In this instance the layer 30 is made of aresilient material such as felt, carpet-like materials, sponge, plasticand rubber foam and the like, that remains in place over the grippingelement 10 forming what can be called a hybrid self-gripping surface.The gripping elements 10 in this embodiment can extend below to orbeyond the surface of layer 30. Thus, when the layer 30 is compressed,the elements 10 are exposed and protrude out of the layer 30 and arethen capable of self-gripping engagement with a receiving layer ormaterial or a similar hybrid self-gripping device.

The gripping element used in the device of the invention may be formedor molded from a variety of materials such as metal, glass, plastics orcomposites of these but are preferably made of metal. Thus, the termbent out of plane, also embraces techniques where the askewed wedge ismolded out of plane. As noted above, in cross-section the grippingelements have a flat longitudinal edge section which is necessary forforming the askewed wedges along the edge or edges thereof. Thecross-sectional shape of the member may be varied. For example, it maybe rectangular, parallelogram,

crescent-shaped, polygonal and the like with or without cutting edges onone or both edges.

In certain intances, the member 12 can be made from thin resilient metalin which case the portions 13 or 16 will have a spring-like actionenabling them to flatten out when penetrating a receiving layer ormaterial and spring-back to their original position after insertion orupon pulling the element out.

In general, the gripping elements are sufficiently stiff such that theyresist deflection which would otherwise preventthem from penetrating andbecoming lodged in a receiving layer or material. It is also necessarythat the gripping elements be stiffly attached to the base to enable thegripping elements to enter into self-gripping engagement. Thus, thegripping elements can be attached to a base by any suitable techniqueconsistent with the nature of the gripping element and the base. Thebase itself can be fabricated from a wide variety of materials such asmetal, wood, plastics, glass, paper, cardboard, porous, woven andnon-woven materials and the like.

The gripping elements can be attached to the base by inserting the lowerends in a sheet, patch or strip such as shown in FIGS. 7-9, and/or bymechanical attaching the gripping elements using adhesive, welding orheat sealing techniques. In FIGS. 7-9 pairs of gripping elements mayalso be interconnected in a staple-like fashion.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11a the gripping element can be attachedto the filament 32 which can be made of metal, plastic or glass usingthe above techniques. The same is true in the embodiments shown in FIGS.11b and c where a plurality of gripping elements are attached at acommon point 34 forming the base of the clustered self-gripping device.Suitable gripping elements and attaching techniques includingstaple-like structures and preformed elements are disclosed in mycopending applications Ser. Nos. 171,701

filed Aug. 13, 1971, 171,668 filed Aug. 13, 1971, 179,880 filed Sept.13, 1971, and 186,874 filed Oct. 6, 1971.

The nature of the self-gripping action by the gripping elements may bepermanent or reversible depending upon the nature of the grippingelements and the receiving layers or materials which comes intoselfgripping engagement therewith. For example, askewed wedges may berigid to provide a more permanent or tenacious self-gripping action orthey may be resilient to facilitate removal from a receiving layer. Asnoted previously, the cutting action of the askewed wedges alsofacilitates removal from a receiving layer.

The gripping elements generally range in length from about 0.002 toabout 0.75 inch and the flat member forming the gripping element canrange from about 0.001 to 0.08 inch. It should be noted that extremelysmall gripping elements can form the device of the invention and yet beinvisible to the naked eye.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a receivingmaterial which is adapted to enter into selfgripping engagement withself-gripping devices including those disclosed herein or with itselfand comprises a base having attached thereto in relatively thickprofusion, a plurality of fibers loose at one end and having lateralprotrusions.

FIG. 12 provides several illustrations of such fibers, indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 18, having lateral protrusions. Thefibers shown in FIGS. 12a

through h can be characterized as having transverse striations which mayalso be crisscrossed or helical as shown, for example, in FIGS. l2e andf. The transverse striations may be angular as shown in FIGS. -0 and -hor they may be curved in cross-section as shown in FIG. 12d. The fibers18 may be solid as shown in FIGS. 12a through f or they may be hollow asshown in FIGS. 12g and h.

In FIG. 15, another type of filament 18 is shown wherein the lateralprotrusions are in the form of granules or particulate materials 40attached to the surface of the fiber in a random or uniform pattern.Such fibers are known and have. been used to form abrasive pads. Thegranules 40 may be embedded in or adhesively attached to the fiber 18.

FIG. 16 illustrates a further embodiment of a composite fiber with ahightensile narrow core 44 and a deformable outer coating 42 which iscapable of being displaced or cold formed, preferably without rupturingor cutting, thereby providing a projected site or lateral protrusion forself-gripping engagement with a selfgripping device. The coating 42 inpractice is displaced or cold formed upon engagement with aself-gripping device such as the device of the invention. The core 44 isgenerally a stiff element made of wire, glass, glass yarn or plasticsuch as polyacetals, polyesters, polyamides, polypropylene, and yarns orthe like formed from any of these. The coating 42 can be an elastomer, atacky or pressure-sensitive material, or soft and pliable material thatis resistant to peeling and stripping. Suitable materials for coating 42include synthetic and natural rubbers, ethylene vinyl acetateelastomers, silicon resins, urethane polymers, hightack compositions,ionomer resins and the like.

It should be noted that the fibers shown in FIGS. 12, 15 and 16, forexample, can also be in the form of filaments which can be spun intoyarn, braided, woven, knitted, felted and the like. The filaments in anyof these forms may be anchored or attached to a backing member toprovide a particularly desirable receiving material for use withself-gripping devices in general.

The fibers shown in FIGS. 12 and 15 may also be composites comprising acore and an outer coating having lateral protrusions. The fibers shownin FIG. 12, for example, can be made using known techniques from metalssuch as aluminum, steel, copper and the like or from plastics includingthermoplastics such as p'olyolefins, nylons, polyesters and the like,and thermoplastic resins such as phenolics and the like. The fibers canbe formed using extrusion, melt spinning, solvent spinning, coldforming, printing, embossing, film slitting and similar techniques.

FIG. 13 illustrates this embodiment of the invention wherein fibers 18having lateral protrusions are attached to a base 36. In thisembodiment, the fibers 18 generally range in length from about 0.001 toabout 0.75 inch, are closely packed on base 36 and the upper endsthereof have a penetrating profile to permit entry by gripping elements.The fibers 18 are preferably spaced no greater than one filament widthapart on the base 36 and the penetrating profile can be rounded,pointed, cut-off at an angle as shown in FIG. 16, or the like.

In FIG. 13, fibers 18 can be attached to the base 36 using conventionaltufting, weaving, flocking, piling, or adhesive techniques. The base 36can be made from the same materials as the base for the grippingelements and it can be in the form of a sheet as shown in FIG. 13 or astrip or patch as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. The device shown in FIG.13 may also include other filaments which can be looped or loose at oneend and may include different types of fibers having lateral protrusionswhich may also vary in size, including the fibers of FIG. 16 having anouter coating 42 which has a higher coefficient of friction or apressure-sensitive force in contact.

It should be noted that the device illustrated by FIG. 13 because of thenature of the fibers 18 is inherently self-gripping to itself and it isalso capable of functioning as a receiving material for self-grippingdevices having gripping elements capable of engaging the fibers 18 in aself-gripping action. Such self-gripping devices include those describedherein and in addition multielement self-gripping devices wherein theelements have a trough lined with an edge as disclosed in my copendingapplication disclosed in my copending applications Ser. No. 200,366filed Nov. 19, 1971, or a linguiform tab as disclosed in my copendingapplication Ser. No. 295,637 filed Oct. 6, 1972.

The self-gripping devices and receiving layers of the invention may beused in a variety of ways to efficiently and quickly render virtuallyany surface or article selfgripping. The device of the invention can bereadily used by individuals and commercial users to render selectedareas of articles or entire articles self-gripping such as carpets,fabrics, felts, wall cladding materials, panels, tile, sheets, filters,decorative trim, and the like.

What is claimed is:

l. Self-gripping device comprising a plurality of upright grippingelements stiffly attached to a base, each of said gripping elementscomprising an elongated member having at least one flat longitudinaledge section with at least one integral askewed wedge defined by a cutin the edge of said flat section with the portion of said flat sectionabove the cut being rounded and bent out of plane from said flatsection, said gripping elements being adapted to penetrate and becomelodged in a receiving material.

2. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein said cut is downwardlyinclined.

3. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said roundedportions are spaced along the edge of said flat section and adjacentrounded portions define a funnel to promote fiber engagement by theaskewed wedge.

4. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said askewedwedges are spaced along the edge of said flat section in a uniform toirregular pattern.

5. Self-gripping device of claim 4 wherein said askewed wedges areformed from both sides of said flat section in a uniform to irregularpattern.

6. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein the upper end of saidelongated members are rounded.

7. Self-gripping device of claim 1 having a protective layer over saidgripping elements.

8. Self-gripping device of claim 1 which includes a resilient receivingmaterial over the gripping elements forming a hybrid self-grippingdevice.

9. Self-gripping device of claim 1 in self-gripping engagement withareceiving material.

1. Self-gripping device comprising a plurality of upright grippingelements stiffly attached to a base, each of said gripping elementscomprising an elongated member having at least one flat longitudinaledge section with at least one integral askewed wedge defined by a cutin the edge of said flat section with the portion of said flat sectionabove the cut being rounded and bent out of plane from said flatsection, said gripping elements being adapted to penetrate and becomelodged in a receiving material.
 2. Self-gripping device of claim 1wherein said cut is downwardly inclined.
 3. Self-gripping device ofclaim 1 wherein a plurality of said rounded portions are spaced alongthe edge of said flat section and adjacent rounded portions define afunnel to promote fiber engagement by the askewed wedge. 4.Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said askewedwedges are spaced along the edge of said flat section in a uniform toirregular pattern.
 5. Self-gripping device of claim 4 wherein saidaskewed wedges are formed from both sides of said flat section in auniform to irregular pattern.
 6. Self-gripping device of claim 1 whereinthe upper end of said elongated members are rounded.
 7. Self-grIppingdevice of claim 1 having a protective layer over said gripping elements.8. Self-gripping device of claim 1 which includes a resilient receivingmaterial over the gripping elements forming a hybrid self-grippingdevice.
 9. Self-gripping device of claim 1 in self-gripping engagementwith a receiving material.